Combined system of transport by monorail and autocar.



No. 825,495. PATBNTBD JULY 10, 1906.

R. 811 YBRS.

COMBINED SYSTEM OF TRANSE'ORT BY MONORAIL AND AUTOQAB.

APPLIUATIGK E'ILED APR. 6. 1905.

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PATBNTED JULY 10, 3906,

R. SEYBRS. COMBINED SYSTEM OF TRANSPORT BY MONORAIL AND AUTGCfiR.

APPLIGATIQ! FILED ABS. 6, 1905.

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R. SNYBRS. COMBINED SYSTEM OF TRAESPOB? BY MGNORAIL AND AUTOGAR.

APPLKOATIQX FILED APR. 6, 1905. I

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PATENTBD JULY 10, 1906.

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APPLIOATIOE FILED APR. 6, 1905.

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R. SNYERS. COMBINED SYSTEM or TRANSPORT BY MONORAIL AND AUTOGAR.

AEPLIOATION FILED APR-6,1905.

5 BHEB-TS-SHEE? 5k UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y RAYMOND SNYERS, or eeussnes, BELGIUM. COMBINED SYSTEM O F.THANSPORT BY MONORAIL AND AUTOOAR- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1906.

Application filed Aprii 6, 1905. Serial No. 254,247.

subject of the King of Belgium, and a resident of Brussels, Belgium, have invented a certain new and useful Combined System of Transfort by Monorail and Autccar, of which the f lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a. combined system of transport by monorail and autocar for ordinary roads.

The special feature of this improved system consists in having themonorail level with the road.

The special features of the rolling-stock are:

First. The cars are supported both by wheels runnin on the road; but these latter are only provided to insure lateral equilibmum.

7 Second. The car is constructed in such a manner that almost all the weight is sopmay be distributed over the frame of the car bird. The car is so constructed that the frame of the carriage is not afiected by the jolting of the cart-wheels caused by the unevenness of the road on which they run.

Fourth. Themotive power and the brakes are onl ap lied to the wheels which run on the mi 5. here a number of cars are attached together, the motive iower may be supplied to each car by specie. means, causing each car to become a motor-cannithough there may be only one motor at the front of the train.

Fifth. The car can be run off the rails at will, if reqniredthat is to say, it can leave necessities of the service.

Sixth. The car may be furnished with auxiliary toothed wheels to'work in or gear with a rack formed on the rail to climb gradients where the ordina friction of the wheels on the rails is insuificient to drag the load.

In the eccorn an gdraw1ngs,which show an exam is o y, igure 1 is a side elevation of a true constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan view{ Fi s. 3, 4, and 5 show three different forms of es for the fore carriage. Fig. 6 is a diegrammatical view of a detail. Fig. 7 is a side eievation showing the arrangement for a. car with a single truck. Fig. 8 is an end 7 trucks.

elevation corresponding to Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and 10 are similar views of a bogie-car. F ig. 11 is an elevation of a car supported on two he ies. Fig. 12 shows a die ram of a car fitte with four cart-wheels. Fig. 13 shows an elevation of the arrangement for transmitting motion from one car to another. Fig. 14 shows a detail of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 shows an arrangement for causing cars constructed according to this invention to be taken off the rails at will.

" Referring to the drawings, the carriages may be mounted on one or more running- Each truck is provided with two or more wheels adapted to run on the monorail r and has two cart-wheels running on the road. wheels running on the rail and bv cart"' "a mechanical contrivance which allows the These two kinds of wheels are connected by carti-Wheels to yield to the unevenness of the res Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the carriage in ositlon on the monorail and roadway, and

ig'. as top plan view thereof.

Thewheels 3,running on the rails, are connected by an under-frame 4, advantageously sup orted by s rings. The frame 4 is fitted wit two brac 'ets 5 and 6, which retain a hollow vibratory shaft 10, on the ends of which are mounted two arms 7 and 8 made in one with the axle-trunnions 9 of the carriage-wheels. This part ma be made in three diflerent forms. The orzn shown in Fig. 3 represents acrank-axle, while Fig. 4 shows an axle cranked half-way, and Fig. 5 shows a straight axle supported in the said guns, which, however, performthe same 11 i the first form (shown in Fi 3) the arms 7 and 8 are not fixed on the ho ow shaft 10; but, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, they end in sleeves ii and 12, which can revolve freely round the tubular shaft 10. The said arms 7 and 8 are engagedon the ends of a fiat spring 13, subjected to torsion and disposed within the hollow shaft 10, to which latter the flat spring is fixed at least in two places.

The places where the springs are fixed vary 'fiorgl and 15 to 16 and 17 or 18 and 19, &c.,

as to permit of regulating the length of that nsrt of the spring which is subjected to torsion and thus ad'ust the same to any required degree of elasticity for the retention of the arms 7 and 8 with the axle-trumiions '9' and 10. According to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the spring-blade 13 is secured in the arts 10, 1 1, and 12 by two cotter-pins 20, which hold it strongly between them as if held in slots formed in these arts.

The holes for the passage the cotter-pins in the hollow shaft 10 are made large enou h to permit of the oscillatory movements of t 1e arms. The object of this arran ement is to give to the axle-trunnions 9 of the two cartwheels a certain amount of angular play in parallel planes, as indicated in Fig. 6. The ateral oltings or vibrations are thus received by the torsional spring 13 and are not felt by the frame 4. In the other two forms of arms the torsion of the s ring-blade is aided by a certain amount of fl exibility of the shaft 10, which is made to bend.

It is to be understood that the elasticity of the frame 9 11, 12 .9, or 9 5 6 9 in the three forms shown at Figs. 3, 4, 5 and for the same purpose may be effected by other mechanical contrivances. Therefore I do not limit myself to the exact use of the aforesaid means, as all other mechanical equivalents giving the same results may be employed.

As is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there are keyed to the hollow shaft 10 two small cranks 21 and 22, which carry, by means of links 23, two railway-springs 24 and 25, fixed to the two side beams of the frame 4. The usual means, such as the use of screws and nuts, are employed to regulate the tension of these railway-springs. Thev aid in adjusting the pressure of the cart-wheels upon the ground to maintain the proper equilibrium.

The truck comprises at least two wheels running on the rail and carrying an underframe, to which is attached another movable frame with the two cart-wheels, the equilibrium being maintained. by two longitudinal railway-springs, as hereinbefore described.

Suspension of the carriage-fmme.1n cars having a single truck the carria e-frame is attached direct (by the use of suitaile springs) to the underframe, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The carriage-frame rests upon the underframe 4 by means of at least four pivoted supports 26 27 28 29, which may be fitted with springs 31 and which are attached at one end to the underframe 4 and at the other end to the carriage-frame 30. This arrangement forms a kind of hinged or pin-jointed parallelopipedon which can oscillate freely in the transverse direction to the frame 4. However, the stability of the frame 30 is assured by at least two push-arms 32 with sprin s 33, which rest upon a bracket fixed to the rame 4, as shown in Fig. 8. By this double suspension the springs 31 help to smoothen the running of the wheels on the metals or rails and the springs 33 prevent shocks caused by the joltings of the cartwheels. If the carriage is mounted on bogie-trucks, the above means of sus ension are made to su port the turning-hear In this case the sai turninghead is preferably mounted on the cranks 21 and 22, fixed to the hollow shaft 10, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. These two cranks are connected together by a cross-bar 34, journaled in the ends thereof. To the cross-bar are riveted two cheeks 35 and 36, secured in position by small guide-cranks 37 and 38, arranged parallel to the cranks 21 and 22, so that the assemblage 21 35 37 or 22 36 38 forms a pivotal arallelogram in order that during their vertlcal vibrations the parts 34, 35, and 36 remain parallel to themselves. Further, two springs 39 and 40 are fixed to the cross-bar 34 and carry each a bar 41 or 42, guided by a stud 43 or 44 in a slot 45, formed in said cheeks. The ends of the bars 41 and 42 are pivoted in the movable supports 26 27 28 29, and so form with the other parts and with. the bars 41 and 42 a pivotal parallelopipedon adapted to swing transversely to the underframe 4 of the truck.

If desired, the said ivoted supports maybe spring-controlled and made to coact with the springs 39 and 40. In any case the stability of the carriage-floor is assured by the action of the two spring-controlled push-arms 33, which rest against the cheeks 35 and 36. These ush-arms are 'by their extremities pivoted opposite each other to a vertical rod 75, pin-pivoted to two other rods 76 and 77 in such a manner as to assure the vertical movement of the platform 50. Moreover, the said floor is guided by two angle-plates 47 and 48, which enter between the cross-bars 34. The said platform is enabled to turn on the plate 46 round the pivot 49 of the bogie, the said platform carrying the carriageframe 30. If desired, antivibration springs may be placed beneath the frame. To the guideplates 47 48 and the cross-bar 34 is secured a spring 51, designed to counteract the back stroke of the sprin s 39 and 40.

Fig. 11 gives a c ear view of the eneral arran ement of a bogie-car provide with two truc s.

The principle carried out in the construction of the trucks and the mode of suspension adopted embody substantially the features named under numbersfirst, second, and third in the opening statements of the specification.

The invention further comprises the construction of the trucks or bo ies with a combination of any number 0 railway-wheels and cart-wheelssay, for exam le, three, four, or more railway-wheels an four, six, or more cart-wheels. To this end the diagram Fig. 12 shows, by way of example, a truck fitted with four cart-wheels, which are a .distance from the axle 52 of the truck, and therefore should have their trunnions hinged at 53, so as to enable them to set themselves in accordance with the radius of the curves when the carriage travels round small curves, and so obviate the draggin of the ,cartwheels. The regulation of t e wheels may TIC , scri tion*say, electricity, steam, vaporized be automatically effected through the inter- I vention of a trailin roller 54, mounted on a vertical pivot at 68151 end of the bo h-frame.

The motive power may be any deflui s, &c. The motor or driving mechanism may be placed either on the bogieframe or on the carriage-frame, although for bogie-carriages it is preferable to place the same on the bogie-frame. The driving-gear is exclusively applied to the railway-wheels in a well-known manner through the intervention of connectin -rods, toothed wheels, chains, or the like. d vhen several carriages are coupled together, it is advantageous to provide a lon itudinal shaft extending from the first carriage to the next, which while yielding sufiiciently to curves of the rail and vibrations of the carriages transmits the motion to the latter. The said transmittinggear is shown in Figs. 13 and 14 and comprises the longitudinal shafts and 56 and a flexible connection or cable 57, constructed of steel wires coiled in opposite directions aftcr the manner of a helix. The flexible connection is held taut by a tension device at each end of the shaft and comprises a compression-spring 58, regulated by a screw-nut 59 and pnllin on the coupling-head 60, which latter is fixe to the shaft 55 by a hidden wedge or the like In the coupling-head 60 is securely enga ed by a key 61 the tapered end of the flexib e connection or cable. The carri es are furthermore coupled together by a rigid bar 62, whose ends are pin-jointed at 63 to the frames of the adjacent carria es.

The carriage can be taken ofi the rail w en required by the following means: As shown in Fi 15, only the first railway-wheel 3 is provi ed with flan es, while the remaining railway-wheels are fitted with even rims. The latter wheels are guided over the rails by a lie ed runner 64, adapted to be lifted off the rail y ap ropriate mechanism when it is desired to save the track. In front of the wheel 3 is a pilot-wheel 65, having a slightlyconvex rim. This ilot-wheel can be lowered by means of suita le mechanism 66, 67, 68', and 69, and so serve in raisin the underframe 4 far enough to lift the w eel 3 ed the ound. This causes the whole weight of t e carriage to be transferred onto the lead wheel and the rear railway-wheel, w e at the same time the said wheel 65 is caused to bear indirectly but strongly against the wheel 3 throu h the intervention of a small roller 70. T us if the wheel 3 be the driven wheel its rotation will communicate itself by friction to the leading wheel 65, which latter then acts as the driving-wheel. The leading wheel 65 is mounted in a vertical turning bracket or-fork, by reason of which it can be set at various angles for steering the vehicle. The steering mechanism for the wheel 65 is directly connected to that of the cart-wheels with hinged trunnions hereinbefore mentioned, so that the steering-gear acts simulteneouslyon the three wheels, and thus readily steers the vehicle.

When a rack-railroad is required for steep gradients, the monorail is utilized as a mo c by providing it with lateral studs 71 at equidistant points, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Further, on the axle of one of the railwaywheels are pivoted two arms carrying through the intervention of other means an ap repriate transmitting-gear advantageous con nected with the axle of said railway-wheel. In a similar manner can the brakes be arranged directly to said wheel.

The wheel "'72 can be elevated out of gear by any convenient contrivance, it bein lowered onto the rail only at the require moment. 7

Having now described the principle under lying my invention, I would have it clearly understood that I wish to protect the various arrangements and their mechanical equiva lents which embody inv said invention to produce the desired resu t.

Having now fully described my said-invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a device of the class described a frame, two revoluble monorail-wheels carried by thsframe, a hollow shaft extending across the frame between the monorail-wheels, an armor lever mounted upon each end of the hollow shaft, a road-wheel revolubly sup ported at the end of the arm or lever, and a torsion spring secured within the hollow shaft 2. In a device of the class described, a frame, two revoluhle monoraihwheels carried by the frame, a hollow shaft vibratoril sup ported acrossthe frame, a lever rigi ly se cured to the hollow shaft adjacent to the end thereof, a strap at the end of each lever, a strap-spring for each lever connected with the strap at one end and with the frame at the other, an arm or lever vibratorily mounted on each end of the hollow shaft, a road wheel revolubly mounted at the free end of each lever, a flat torsion-spring located within the hollow shaft, means for adjustabl securing the torsionspring to the hollow s aft, and means for securing the torsion-spring to each of the road-wheel levers.

3. In a device of the class described, a frame, two revoluble monorail-wheels carried by the frame, a hollow shaft vibratorilv supported across the frame, a lever rigidly secured to the hollow shaft adjacent to the end thereof, a strap at the end of each lever, a strap-spring for each lever connected with the strap at one end and with the frame at the other, an arm or lever vibratorily mounted on each end of the hollow shaft, a roadwheel revolulily mounted at the free end of each lever, a flat torsion-spring located within the hollow shaft, means securing the tersion-spring to the hollow shaft, and means for securing the torsion-spring to each of the road-wheel levers.

4. In a device of the class described a frame, two revoluble monorail-wheels carried by the frame, a hollow shaft extending across the frame between the monorail-wheels an arm or lever mounted upon each end of the hollow shaft, a road-wheel revolubly supported at the end of the arm or lever, a torsion-spring secured within the hollow shaft, a monorail rack-wheel, and means for bringing the same into and out of engagement with the rack of the monorail.

5. In a device of the class described, a frame, two revoluble monorail-wheels carried by the frame, a hollow shaft vibratorily supported across the frame, a lever rigidly secured to the hollow shaft adjacent to the end thereof, a strap at the end of each lever, a strap-spring for each lever connected with the strap at one end and with the frame at the other, an arm or lever vibratorily mounted on each end of the hollow shaft, a roadwheel revolubly mounted at the free end of each lever, a flat torsion-spring located within the hollow shaft, means for adjustabl r securing the torsion-spring to the hollow s aft, means for securin the torsion-spring to each of the road-whee levers, a monorail rackwheel, and means for bringing the same into and out of engagement with the rack of the monorail.

6. In a device of the class described, a frame, two revoluble monorail-wheels carried by the frame, a hollow shaft vibratorilv supported across the frame, a lever rigidly secured to the hollow shaft adjacent to the end thereof, a strap at the end of each lever, a strap-spring for each lever connected with the strap at one end and with the frame at the other, an arm or lever vibratorily mounted on each end of the hollow shaft, a roadwheel revolubly mounted at the free end of each'lever, a flat torsion-spring located within the hollow shaft, securing the torsionspring to the hollow shaft, means for securing the torsion-spring to each of the roadwheel levers, a monorail rack-wheel, and means for bringing the same into and out of engagement with the rack of the monorail.

7. In a device of the class described a vibratorily-mounted hollow shaft, spring means for holding the hollow shaft against vibration under ordinary pressure, a road-wheel lever vibratorily mounted on each end of the hollow shaft, a road-wheel revolubly mounted at the free end of each road-wheel lever, and spring means preventing vibration of the road-wheel levers on the hollow shaft only under abnormal pressure.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

RAYMOND SN YERS.

Witnesses CH. VAN VELVEN, GREGORY PHELAN. 

